UK-Ukraine Professional Network (UUPN) is a network of professionals, citizens of Ukraine, who have been to the UK for education, training or professional development purposes (under educational, training or professional development schemes, under the auspices of the British Council, the British Embassy, other British donors and sponsors, or self-financed).
Established in 1999 by the British Council and the British Embassy in Ukraine (project), the UUPN is currently moving to its enhanced independence from the BC. In June 2003, at the Network's Forth Annual General Conference a new UUPN Strategy for the Period 2003-2005 was adopted.
The UUPN Actions Plans are developed at the UUPN Annual Conferences or Management Board Meetings annually.
The UUPN Mission is to promote the transfer of the best UK and international expertise to Ukrainian organizations and individuals, including UUPN members, to develop closer economic, cultural, scientific, and political ties between Ukraine and UK, and to further Ukraine's integration into Europe.
HM Ambassador in Ukraine and the Ukrainian Ambassador in the UK have been invited to be co-patrons of the network. The Director of the British Council is ex-officio Executive Director of the Network and the Executive Secretary is a member of the British Council's staff in Kyiv.
Background
Three factors have driven the development of UUPN.
• Recognition that more than 400 young Ukrainian professionals who have been to the UK for training and professional development, represent a valuable intellectual resource for the UK in Ukraine;
• Closer synergy between the British Council and the British Embassy in Kyiv in promoting UK-Ukraine professional cooperation at all levels;
• Available facilities in the British Council building in Kyiv, with a conference centre, teaching centre, public access information technology and a cafe.
Working on its purposes the UUPN has passed the following stages of the network's development in different internal and outer environmental contexts:
(a) Initial institutionalisation stage (June 1999-June 2002). There is membership; database; sections; coordinators; web-site; British Council support is available; publishing newsletter etc.
(b) Transitional stage (July 2002-June 2004). Strategic Planning and Development Team (SPDT) formed; research and relevant working meetings held; working out of strategy; new contacts; search for organizational, motivational and resources solutions.
(c) Real institutionalisation (June 2004-present). Defining formal connection to the British Council, defining initial resources; elaborating a system of stable and transparent UUPN budget, and principles of attracting resources; creating regional structures; maintaining effective networking system via web-site; publishing the presentation information about UUPN etc.; establishing and developing contacts with British Council alumni organizations in other countries.
(d) (Future) consolidation stage - gradual taking roots of UUPN in Ukrainian society and effective entering into the global network of British Council alumni organizations.
Membership
Membership is open to alumni on the completion of a membership application form. Membership will be renewed on an annual basis in order to confirm the commitment of members, and to update the membership database. Membership will be free of charge.
Management
UUPN has been managed by the UUPN General Conference held annually and by the UUPN Management Board in the period between the Conferences.
The Management Board is led by a Chairman and should include Regional Coordinators, Coordinator at the British Council, web site/PR manager/editor.
On-line Forum is maintained permanently through the Internet.
The role of British Council Coordinator will rest on Maria Zakharova,
Scholarships and Alumni Manager, British Council of Ukraine.
Address: 4/12 Hryhoriya Skovorody St., Kyiv 04070
Telephone: (+380 44) 490 5600 Fax: (+380 44) 490 5605
E-mail: maria.zakharova@britishcouncil.org.ua
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